Our History

Ameris Bank opened its doors as American Banking company on October 1, 1971. What started as one location, with $1 million in capital, in Moultrie, Georgia, has now blossomed into a publicly traded bank that provides innovative products and personal service to customers across the Southeast.

Our history is rich, developed over the years through our unique growth strategy. Beginning with our first acquisition in 1979, we have since acquired 31 financial institutions throughout Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina, with our oldest acquired institution dating back to its founding in 1888.

Our founding father, Eugene M. Vereen, Jr., envisioned a bank for the future. Alongside other board members, they set out to create a new kind of bank based on the principles of high performance solutions, character and community. Over 45 years later, Ameris Bank leaders and employees continue to enrich our legacy by providing advanced products and services, anchored by traditional, home-town values, with the purpose of improving the lives of our customers and supporting the communities we serve. View our History Video.

American Banking Company Founded

American Banking Company became incorporated in August 1971 and two months later, opened its doors to the public on October 1, 1971.

1979

Acquired Toney Brothers Bank

American Banking Company completed its first acquisition: Toney Brothers Bank, Doerun, Georgia.

1980

Formation of Holding Company

American Banking Company’s holding company was formed, incorporated, and named ABC Holding Company.

1985-1986

Acquisitions in Georgia

ABC Holding Company continued to expand by acquiring three more financial institutions in Georgia. In 1986, ABC Holding Company became ABC Bancorp.

1987

ABC Bancorp Public Stock Offering

ABC Bancorp conducted its first public stock offering.

1990

Continued Expansion in Georgia

During the 1990s, we continued to grow, acquiring 7 more financial institutions.

1994

Publicly Traded on NASDAQ Exchange

ABC Bancorp publicly traded on NASDAQ Exchange.

1996

Expansion into Alabama

In 1996, ABC Bancorp completed its first acquisition in the state of Alabama, which resulted in six Alabama banking locations.

2000

Expansion into Florida; Continued Growth in Georgia

In 2001, we expanded into the state of Florida with the acquisition of two Florida financial institutions. During this same year, we also acquired another financial institution in Georgia. Throughout the 2000s, in total ABC Bancorp acquired nine financial institutions, including two FDIC-assisted transactions.

2005

ABC Bancorp Rebrands

ABC Bancorp rebrands to Ameris Bancorp.

2006

Multi-Charter Collapse to Single Charter

To this point, Ameris Bancorp operated as several independently chartered and branded financial institutions. In 2006, we become one bank, one brand. Ameris Bancorp completed the multi-charter collapse to a single charter and one brand: Ameris Bank.

2006

Expansion into South Carolina.

Ameris Bancorp completed its first acquisition in the state of South Carolina. This led to the establishment of nine additional locations throughout South Carolina, all opening between 2006-2014.

2010-2017

Continued Expansion throughout the Southeast

Ameris Bancorp, the parent company of Ameris Bank, continues expanding to include seven more FDIC-assisted acquisitions (2010-2012), four whole bank mergers (2013-2016), and the acquisition of 18 Bank of America locations (2015). Ameris Bank proudly became the title sponsor of the Jacksonville Marathon in 2016, carrying on the tradition of the oldest marathon in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2017, across the southeast, Ameris Bank financed over $1 billion in businesses, over $25 million in personal financing needs, and over $4.9 billion in home loans.